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CONFERENCE FEATURE
Ofen, higher education professionals “turtle up” in such in sight to ensure safety. One can’t get too far ahead or behind.
situations but Tom encourages us to be strong and bold when Your success and life depends upon that relationship! It’s true
entering negotiations. We are never to enter negotiations for leadership teams as well. You need to know the people you
with a small dog; we need a bigger dog than the person we’re have on your team because there are times when you need to
negotiating with so that we achieve an outcome that is fair and look out for each other and keep each other safe.
good for the institution. 19. It’s 9:00 am tomorrow and your life depends on it - what do you do?
15. Don’t make it your life’s work Tom uses this one to really focus thought. When faced with a
If you haven’t sensed a theme yet, there is one beginning decision, people ofen decide to make the decision later...next
to emerge: make your work count for something and be week, next month, etc. Or they want to “let it percolate” and
productive with your time. Tis phrase allows leaders to let “check in with someone.” Tom ofen asks this one mid-stream
things go. If you aren’t getting traction on an idea or the idea in a conversation to bring laser focus to the discussion. It ofen
is too complex (think big, build simple, act now), then move leads to the best decision or at least a deeper focus on what
it along. Our time is too precious and our work too important would be needed for a successful decision.
to spend countless meetings and years of our life pursuing 20. Sometimes you must swallow tough
something that may have the “potential” to pay of.
16. Run it like you own it So many leaders want to be “right” or “win.” However, in the
world of leadership, sometimes you just have to take things
Very similar to number two (it’s your ship), run it like you and swallow hard. Sometimes you take a loss because there is
own it speaks to personal ownership and accountability. If this something bigger at play. Sometimes you receive criticism and
was your business and your money, how would you operate? don’t explain it because your explanation will have no value.
If you could set it up from scratch, what would it look like? It Sometimes, you just have to swallow tough and move on.
is an empowering phrase meant to encourage ownership and As you can see, Dr. Tompson and his “Tompsonisms”
measured risk. have been very valuable to us at Olds College. He shares his
17. Measure six times, cut once wisdom with us at times when it is needed the most. Some
Taken from the common expression, “Measure twice, cut themes emerge throughout: accountability, the need to act in
once,” Tom emphasizes diligence. While he encourages creative a responsive way, creativity, ownership, and diligence. I trust
expression, ownership, and risk taking, he equally emphasizes this list also provides you with a list which will help you in your
pre-planning anticipated consequences (real, perceived, leadership journey.
intended, and unintended). It speaks to the diligence required As Tom always says, “At the end of the day, it was always
at all stages of a plan. about teaching, and what I’ve loved about leadership was the
18. Know who you’re riding the range with opportunity it provides to teach and coach.”
Tis one comes with a story of riding the rangeland, where two If you are interested in learning more about Dr. Tompson’s
cowboys are mending fences afer a long winter. Tey are ofen work on governance, please visit this site: https://sites.google.
out days at a time and each cowboy needs to keep the other one com/a/oldscollege.ca/thompson-on-governance/
LEADERSHIP Vol. 22.1 Spring/Summer 2016 11
Client: The Chair Academy Job: Leadership_Journal_22.1 SPRING/SUMMER 2016 Final size: 8.5” x 11” Colors: CMYK Bleeds: Yes
Created by: Goldfsh Creative - Laura Dvir • 602.349.2220 • goldfshcreates@q.com
Ofen, higher education professionals “turtle up” in such in sight to ensure safety. One can’t get too far ahead or behind.
situations but Tom encourages us to be strong and bold when Your success and life depends upon that relationship! It’s true
entering negotiations. We are never to enter negotiations for leadership teams as well. You need to know the people you
with a small dog; we need a bigger dog than the person we’re have on your team because there are times when you need to
negotiating with so that we achieve an outcome that is fair and look out for each other and keep each other safe.
good for the institution. 19. It’s 9:00 am tomorrow and your life depends on it - what do you do?
15. Don’t make it your life’s work Tom uses this one to really focus thought. When faced with a
If you haven’t sensed a theme yet, there is one beginning decision, people ofen decide to make the decision later...next
to emerge: make your work count for something and be week, next month, etc. Or they want to “let it percolate” and
productive with your time. Tis phrase allows leaders to let “check in with someone.” Tom ofen asks this one mid-stream
things go. If you aren’t getting traction on an idea or the idea in a conversation to bring laser focus to the discussion. It ofen
is too complex (think big, build simple, act now), then move leads to the best decision or at least a deeper focus on what
it along. Our time is too precious and our work too important would be needed for a successful decision.
to spend countless meetings and years of our life pursuing 20. Sometimes you must swallow tough
something that may have the “potential” to pay of.
16. Run it like you own it So many leaders want to be “right” or “win.” However, in the
world of leadership, sometimes you just have to take things
Very similar to number two (it’s your ship), run it like you and swallow hard. Sometimes you take a loss because there is
own it speaks to personal ownership and accountability. If this something bigger at play. Sometimes you receive criticism and
was your business and your money, how would you operate? don’t explain it because your explanation will have no value.
If you could set it up from scratch, what would it look like? It Sometimes, you just have to swallow tough and move on.
is an empowering phrase meant to encourage ownership and As you can see, Dr. Tompson and his “Tompsonisms”
measured risk. have been very valuable to us at Olds College. He shares his
17. Measure six times, cut once wisdom with us at times when it is needed the most. Some
Taken from the common expression, “Measure twice, cut themes emerge throughout: accountability, the need to act in
once,” Tom emphasizes diligence. While he encourages creative a responsive way, creativity, ownership, and diligence. I trust
expression, ownership, and risk taking, he equally emphasizes this list also provides you with a list which will help you in your
pre-planning anticipated consequences (real, perceived, leadership journey.
intended, and unintended). It speaks to the diligence required As Tom always says, “At the end of the day, it was always
at all stages of a plan. about teaching, and what I’ve loved about leadership was the
18. Know who you’re riding the range with opportunity it provides to teach and coach.”
Tis one comes with a story of riding the rangeland, where two If you are interested in learning more about Dr. Tompson’s
cowboys are mending fences afer a long winter. Tey are ofen work on governance, please visit this site: https://sites.google.
out days at a time and each cowboy needs to keep the other one com/a/oldscollege.ca/thompson-on-governance/
LEADERSHIP Vol. 22.1 Spring/Summer 2016 11
Client: The Chair Academy Job: Leadership_Journal_22.1 SPRING/SUMMER 2016 Final size: 8.5” x 11” Colors: CMYK Bleeds: Yes
Created by: Goldfsh Creative - Laura Dvir • 602.349.2220 • goldfshcreates@q.com
